Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is thus a positive or negative development?

With the growing

trade

connections around the world, several supermarkets are increasingly selling imported

goods

as opposed to locally sourced

products

.

This

essay will discuss the reasons for

this

and explain why it is a negative

trend

. There are three reasons that explain the rise in

this

trend

over the past years.

Firstly

, due to the growing competition, stores are expected to offer a wide range of

products

to the consumers, which can be accomplished through

trade

.

Secondly

, in order to maintain geopolitical relations, countries often import and export

products

from other countries.

Thirdly

, the inability to grow certain

goods

, force the businesses to purchase them from the countries that have favourable conditions to grow the required produce.

For example

, UAE often imports fresh coconut water from India, as the weather conditions in the UAE do not support the growth of coconut trees. Like everything on

this

planet,

this

development has its pros and cons.

However

, the negatives outweigh the positives in

this

case.

As a result

of high excise duty, supermarkets sell these

products

at unreasonably high prices as compared to the cost price.

Further

,

this

development negatively impacts the growth of the locally based companies, thereby impacting the economy of the country.

Additionally

,

this

trend

comes with an increased dependence on

trade

, making any country insufficient during a recession or a pandemic like COVID-19.

For instance

, several supermarkets around the world faced a shortage of imported

goods

for at least 6 months during the initial phase of the pandemic. In conclusion, business owners indulge in the import and export of

products

to offer competitive

goods

, maintain international relationships and get all-year-round produce.

However

, entrepreneurs need to consider the impact of increasing

trade

before expediting

this

trend

.